LOL at all the people who don't believe the ratings. You will have a heart attack if you ever come to Japan or talk to Japanese people in RL. Just because an anime is popular in fansubs doesn't mean it's popular in Japan.

And as for the animes aired during the night at 3 AM or something like that, it's because usually they target a niche audience (otaku). And also because the timeslots are cheap during the night. Basically, anime production companies buy a timeslot to air the anime, and then they hope people will buy the DVD's and merchandise to profit.

Though an anime like Death Note, which was aired during the night, was aired in that timeslot only because of content. At first, a timeslot like 7PM was considered, but then it was thought that parents would complain because of the story, because 6 to 7 PM are timeslots when kids watch animes. So not all anime aired during the night are because they target a niche audience.

I've noticed that a lot of the most watched animes according to your TV ranking are all family programs or kids animes
Though there a few good exceptions, such as One Piece
I guess those family program animes are more appealing to the Japanese public
Perhaps because the Japanese teenagers have a lot of tests / homework, that's why less younger people watch TV

Exactly, the most popular anime in Japan are the ones aimed at family, or kids. Sazae-san for example is like the Simpsons in the USA, everyone watches it, even old people. The highest rated Sazae-san episode ever was watched by about 40% of people watching TV that time. So One Piece has higher ratings than Naruto or Bleach because it appeals more to families and to regular people in general. While Naruto is watched mostly by little boys and hardcore fans of both genders.

And ratings for animes have been diminishing across the board for at least 10 or 15 years. There are less and less children home at 6 or 7 PM to watch anime, which are the timeslots when usually anime are the most watched. Because more and more children go to cram school, have club activities at school, and are not home by the time anime airs, which was more rare in the past.

There is also the fact there is less children now than in the 80's or 90's.

And to the person who said VK will sell well on dvd's in Japan . That is a pretty big falsitivity . Like in America , shojo also do not do well when it pertains to anime . At least not in comparison to their shonen and seinen couterparts . Girls in Japan are much more into manga .

This guy is talking the truth. Anime for girls is not so successful, though lately anime like Nana, Nodame Cantabile and Lovely Complex, did have success. And there's the anime for little girls, Pretty Cure (huge money maker), Shugo Chara... But succesfull anime for girls usually are targeted to little girls.

In the past Magical Girl series were popular, even with jr. high school girls, Hime-chan no Ribon (very famous early 90's girls' anime) or Sailor Moon were popular in these age groups too.

But lately, girls think magical girl series are kiddish, so they stop watching even before reaching jr. high school.

Pretty Cure is huge, but mainly only with girls in kindergarten or under 10 years old.

Older girls prefer live action series (dramas) so live action versions of shoujo manga is more popular.

The live action versions of Hana Yori Dango, Nodame Cantabile, Nana, Hanazakari no Kimitachi he, and lately, Mei-chan no Shitsuji, have all been huge hits.

Very knowledgeable about Japan
You have been there?

[edit] zzzzzz nvm, haha it says your country is Japan, so I guess you live there.
Though I didn't know people from Japan would use Crunchyroll

wow naruto, bleach, natsume... low rankings and they are hella good animes

No there not, really there pretty damn shitty. I have seen 1000's of anime better than them.
It just Shallow anime like dragon ball and other anime that are just dragon ball clones make it to America, so really its just your never seen good anime.

wow naruto, bleach, natsume... low rankings and they are hella good animes

No there not, really there pretty damn shitty. I have seen 1000's of anime better than them.
It just Shallow anime like dragon ball and other anime that are just dragon ball clones make it to America, so really its just your never seen good anime.

I recall seeing historical TV ranking for animes in Japan, and as I recall, DBZ was at the top of the heap (in the 18-20% range). I can't say I'm a fan of DBZ, but I feel credit should be given where it is due.

I have to assume the ratings for Naruto and Bleach are adequate enough, otherwise they wouldn't keep on going like the Energizer bunny.

I doubt Japanese audiences are really that much different than those in America (i.e., good series don't always get good ratings, and visa versa).

Also, are you really including Natsume Yuujinchou in that "pretty damn shitty" category?

wow naruto, bleach, natsume... low rankings and they are hella good animes

No there not, really there pretty damn shitty. I have seen 1000's of anime better than them.
It just Shallow anime like dragon ball and other anime that are just dragon ball clones make it to America, so really its just your never seen good anime.

I recall seeing historical TV ranking for animes in Japan, and as I recall, DBZ was at the top of the heap (in the 18-20% range). I can't say I'm a fan of DBZ, but I feel credit should be given where it is due.

I have to assume the ratings for Naruto and Bleach are adequate enough, otherwise they wouldn't keep on going like the Energizer bunny.

I doubt Japanese audiences are really that much different than those in America (i.e., good series don't always get good ratings, and visa versa).

Also, are you really including Natsume Yuujinchou in that "pretty damn shitty" category?

I go by what I see, 8 years living in Japan the shows like Naruto only got there ranks on being on at just the right time, and because of the kids under ages of 8. yes naruto is a hit like spongbob, maby not as big as spongbob but you get the idea.
I am into more mature anime, but wen you look at the rating system you can see that more than 80% of the rating comes from people under the age of 13. As for me I more into a good story, without the main character with super powers.

wow naruto, bleach, natsume... low rankings and they are hella good animes

No there not, really there pretty damn shitty. I have seen 1000's of anime better than them.
It just Shallow anime like dragon ball and other anime that are just dragon ball clones make it to America, so really its just your never seen good anime.

I recall seeing historical TV ranking for animes in Japan, and as I recall, DBZ was at the top of the heap (in the 18-20% range). I can't say I'm a fan of DBZ, but I feel credit should be given where it is due.

I have to assume the ratings for Naruto and Bleach are adequate enough, otherwise they wouldn't keep on going like the Energizer bunny.

I doubt Japanese audiences are really that much different than those in America (i.e., good series don't always get good ratings, and visa versa).

Also, are you really including Natsume Yuujinchou in that "pretty damn shitty" category?

I go by what I see, 8 years living in Japan the shows like Naruto only got there ranks on being on at just the right time, and because of the kids under ages of 8. yes naruto is a hit like spongbob, maby not as big as spongbob but you get the idea.
I am into more mature anime, but wen you look at the rating system you can see that more than 80% of the rating comes from people under the age of 13. As for me I more into a good story, without the main character with super powers.

Darkphoenix3450
Just say u didnt like the anime, theres no need to says its 'shitty' Its people's opinion